Associated Press

Lyle Overbay hopes to stick around in his second stint with the Brewers.

Lyle Overbay is trying to make it as a non-roster invitee in his second stint with Milwaukee. The first time around, he was a doubles machine and a fan favorite, a solid player who held down the fort ably at first base before the emergence of Prince Fielder. »Read Full Article

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Doug is usually the one calling the shots on the players, and he has always favored high powered offense (Reynolds & Francisco) over defense (Overbay). If they hit well, they will most likely make the team.

They brought out plenty of Overbay's positives in the article, playing off the line more so than the others vs RHer, taking pitches, passing down knowledge etc. This will be an interesting battle for the first base job but if Lyle makes the team he will be hitting against RHers mostly. Last year Overbay hit 117 ops against RH and 51 vs LHers. The Brewers will use Overbay to his strengths. I believe the hits he had yesterday he was not impressed by were against LH de la Rosa but O is looking for balance on off speed pitches. Should be a fun battle to watch this spring. Go Brewers!

I don't think O is gonna make it. With a .297 OPS last year, and being another year older this year, it suggests he's fading. If Francisco can improve his D even a little bit at 1B - and given that he had no experience last year, that should be possible - I think the Brewers will decide he has too much potential to give up on. This is a guy who could one day hit 40 homers.

Lyle had a .295 obp not ops which was .748 vs RH which is if he makes the team will be used. Read the article and all the positives which he brings will be interesting to see how valuable they need it. They said first base was a disaster last year and if Francisco stays that will be the same while Overbay plays further off 1st base than anyone ever saw which helps the second baseman. Anything ever mentioned about Francisco on defense stating how he helps the defenders?

I meant OBP, not OPS. My bad. I disagree that 1B will be a disaster with a Reynolds/Overbay platoon. You'd get 30-35 HRs and an 800 OPS if they play to their histories. Also I think with more practice and experience Francisco would be less of a liability defensively - he'll never be Overbay, but maybe Prince-like. Not great but for the power, you put up with it and see if he grows into it. Plus he can back up at 3B.

Francisco will be playing for the Milwaukee Brewers this summer simply because he can play both first and third base.

With Rickie doing so well this spring, I expect the Brewers just may keep both Weeks and Gennett; since they are also going to keep Bianchi, Herrera is on the bubble as well;

With all these extra infielders, and the Brewers look to keep an extra lefty, there just isn't a spot for Overbay, as much as we fans love the guy. I hope he does well in Spring training so he can catch on some place this summer.

nitacs. Agreed on Francisco, in part because as you say he plays 3B. But if they keep Rickie and Scooter, there will only be room for 4 outfielders, which would open the door for Herrera since he plays basically six positions. That would mean Bianchi gets cut, and either Schafer or Gindl goes back to AAA. That would be a shame. If on the other hand the Yanks deal for Weeks, then you could have a bench of: Francisco (Reynolds)MaldanadoHerrera (or Bianchi)SchaferGindl

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